Constitutional Objective to Provide Swift Justice Yet to be Fulfilled: Calcutta HC Chief Justice on Independence Day

The Calcutta High Court Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam recently stated that despite having attained the status of citizens in independent India, the constitutional objective of establishing an efficient, unencumbered, and swift legal dispute redressal mechanism is yet to be fulfilled.

The Chief Justice highlighted that the courts bear a distinctive responsibility in ensuring that citizens are granted access to justice.

“Despite achieving independence and becoming citizens of sovereign India, the constitutional aspiration of extending a free, swift, and effective legal dispute resolution platform to our populace is an ongoing endeavor,” stated CJ Sivagnanam.

He urged judges and lawyers alike to contribute to ensuring universal access to fundamental amenities. “Undoubtedly, the preservation of democratic principles hinges on our commitment to securing basic necessities for our citizens. This places an exceptional obligation upon both judges and lawyers, who are frequently entrusted with pivotal roles in resolving disputes concerning resource allocation,” he emphasized.

CJ Sivagnanam delivered these remarks while addressing an assembly after hoisting the national flag at the High Court premises on the occasion of Independence Day.

In his discourse, the judge asserted that Independence Day holds more significance than being a mere symbolic event; it serves as a reminder of our vital status as citizens within the ambit of the world’s largest democracy.

He also spotlighted the ‘achievements’ of the Calcutta High Court over the preceding year.

“Today, I believe, is an opportune moment to assess the accomplishments of the State Judiciary. I would like to underscore that during the period from August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023, in the past year, the quantum of cases disposed of by the High Court exceeded the number instituted. In this timeframe, the High Court handled a total of 75,690 instituted cases, while successfully resolving a total of 91,521 cases. This, unquestionably, stands as a significant accomplishment. We ought to extend our commendations,” the CJ highlighted.

The CJ further brought attention to the backlog in the district judiciary, which has escalated to 24 lakh cases, while expressing determination towards diminishing this number.

Furthermore, he disclosed that within the aforementioned year-long period, out of the total 268 vacancies, a minimum of 230 have already been filled.

In accordance with directives from the Supreme Court, three out of the seven designated courts for cases under the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act have commenced operations. Moreover, the West Bengal government has proposed the establishment of nine additional such courts, as emphasized by the CJ.